NAFDAC alerts Nigerians to ‘counterfeit’ cancer drug

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned Nigerians to be wary of counterfeit cancer treatment drugs, Phesgo, in circulation.

NAFDAC alerted healthcare providers on its website after a doctor at Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, raised concerns about the drug.

According to the post, the product had not been administered, but it matched the characteristics of a previously reported counterfeit batch, C3809C51.

Besides, the Marketing Authorisation Holder, MAH, Roche received a complaint from a doctor at Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH-NSIA, reporting a suspected counterfeit Phesgo 600mg/600mg

Although no sample was returned to Roche for investigation, only pictures displayed parts of a Phesgo 600mg/600mg in a 10ml folding box and a labelled vial.

“The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control wishes to inform healthcare providers and the public of a report of a suspected counterfeit Phesgo® 600mg/600mg/10ml, labelled with batch C5290S20., ” NAFDAC said.

Images of the suspected product were examined by Roche and compared to the genuine samples retained for reference.

“Although no physical sample was returned to Roche for investigation, images of parts of the product, specifically a Phesgo 600mg/600mg vial and a 10ml folding box, were examined.

“The suspected product’s images were compared to genuine samples retained by Roche.